They’ve spent their life chasing waves, making their mark at beaches near and far — and now it’s their time to be honored for their contributions to the sport and culture of surfing.
While much of the action during the Lexus US Open of Surfing happens on the beach, there are several big events nearby during the festival that will recognize stand-out surfers, including two ceremonies where they’ll get permanent fixtures on Main Street across from the iconic pier, at a surf industry fundraiser that will raise hundreds of thousands for environmental causes and an “old-school” rager that will celebrate big-wave chargers.
The first big award ceremony is the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, to be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 2 in front of Huntington Surf and Sport.
This year’s inductees include Huntington Beach surfer Jeff Deffenbaugh, Hawaiian freesurfer Jamie O’Brien and Ilima Kalama, a surfing champion from Hawaii who made Orange County his home.
Deffenbaugh and Kalama have both made waves in Huntington Beach. Kalama spent years as a Huntington Beach lifeguard and became the United States Surfing Champion in Huntington Beach in 1962.
Deffenbaugh became the US Junior Men’s Champion in 1989, and in 1990, he was part of the NSSA National team. He eventually earned 7 WQS wins and still today competes for the Huntington Beach Boardriders Club.
O’Brien, who grew up on the North Shore of Oahu’s Pipeline in his front yard, started as a pro surfer but found success searching out waves and making films and video segments about his journeys.
O’Brien starred in the film, “Who is JOB?”, changing the world of surf films and turning it into a series on his YouTube channel, generating a massive following of fans from around the world.
The following week, at 10 a.m. on Aug. 8, the Surfing Walk of Fame in front of Jack’s Surfboards will host its 30th annual induction ceremony, which shuts down Main Street for the ceremony.
Deffenbaugh is also being inducted into the Walk of Fame as this year’s “Local Hero.”
Other inductees include surfboard shaper Bing Copeland as this year’s “Surf Pioneer, Felipe Pomar as “Surfing Champion,” Rip Curl founders Doug Warbrick & Brian Singer for the “Surf Culture” category, and “Woman of the Year” Sally Fitzgibbons.
Co-star of the “Endless Summer” and San Diego surfer Mike Hynson will earn an honor roll recognition.
The US Open of Surfing is also a chance for industry insiders to gather in the evening hours after the festivities on the sand slows down.
The Surf Industry Members Association will host two big parties, the first being the SIMA Industry Luau at 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 2, a 21 and older event on the beach at the US Open Beach Bar, featuring music, food, Hawaiian programming and a silent auction. Tickets are $100.
On Aug. 10, the Waterman’s Gala will be held at the Paséa Hotel & Spa across from the sand. The 35th annual event brings the surfing industry together to celebrate surf industry leaders and raise funds for ocean-related environmentalism.
This year’s will honor Billabong founder Gordon Merchant with the “Lifetime Achievement Award,” Hawaiian Nathan Florence as “Waterperson of the Year,” and Vince Scandone, an executive at Audi and lifelong surfer, for his environmental efforts. Tickets cost $700.
Since its creation in 1989, more than $10 million in grants have been awarded to various environmental groups through the SIMA Environmental Fund.
Bill Sharp, producer of the HBO hit “100 Foot Wave,” is hosting an “old school US Open rager,” with a SURFER Big Wave Challenge party that will celebrate wave riders who take on building-size waves.
Sharp is holding the official awards ceremony on Oct. 19 in Portugal, currently the epicenter of big-wave surfing, but wanted to host a gathering in Huntington Beach while the surf industry is in town.
“It’s the pinnacle of summer surf activities in Southern California,” said Sharp of the US Open of Surfing. “It’s where everyone turns up to see what’s happening.”
There will be videos of the big-wave nominees showing on screens throughout the venue, and the finalists for the “Wipeout of the Year,” one of the most popular and cringe-worthy awards, will be announced.
The event is open to the public and starts at 5 p.m. on Aug. 9 at Bruno’s Grill at 301 Main Street.
